For StudentsDangerous Field Encounters
From skirting mountain drops and avoiding hostile townspeople to fighting off
predatory animals, working in the field can be hazardous.Callan Bentley

views.htmlCommentSeismic Success Story in WyomingCitizens can be effective in promoting
policy change: Take the case of a group of local citizens who rallied the support
of Congress and their community in installing a seismic network.
Wallace Ulrich

Political SceneBeating Natural Hazards to the
PunchProactive strategies to mitigate natural
hazards will develop a strong society prepared for any disaster.Emily Lehr Wallace and David R. Millar

Geologic ColumnWas Chicken Little
Right?The sky is falling on science and technology
in the United States  or is it?Fred Schwab

coverON
THE COVERCanada contains large deposits of tar-like
oil sands, which give the country the world's second largest proven crude oil
reserves. Mining for the sands, however, is technologically challenging. Read
more on page 22 and 32, and read throughout the issue about other oil "hot
spots" and new technologies. Photo is courtesy of Syncrude Canada. Upper
right: Hurricane Charley was the first of four large hurricanes to hit Florida
this past August and September. Some researchers say that the occurrence of extreme
events may increase in coming years as the climate warms. Read more on page 38.
Image courtesy of NASA/Orbimage.